Soybean molasses to replace corn for feedlot lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Abstract

Soybean molasses (SBM) is a byproduct of the manufacture of soy protein concentrate and has high energy value. This byproduct has a high potential for use in the nutrition of ruminant animals, mainly in the replacement of other energy feeds such as corn grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of SBM to replace corn grain up to 30% dry matter (DM) in the total diet on growth performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of feedlot lambs (½ Santa Inês × ½ Dorper). Forty intact male lambs with an initial average body weight of 20.6 ± 2.5 kg and approximate age of 120 d were used. The animals were distributed in four treatments (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% SBM), divided into five randomized blocks according to the initial weight and adapted for 16 d, with diets containing increasing concentrations of concentrate and SBM. Feeding behavior was analyzed at the beginning, middle, and final of the finishing period, and when animals reached 42 d on the finishing diet they were slaughtered. Data were evaluated using SAS software (version 9.4), by polynomial orthogonal contrasts, where the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality values were analyzed as randomized blocks, and the feeding behavior data as randomized blocks with a repeated measure over time. Significant differences were detected for the contrast 0 vs. SBM treatments, which the inclusion of SBM caused an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in ash intake but decreased the ether extract intake. The intake of DM in % body weight was higher for SBM treatments than 0% treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding behavior, ruminating while lying down and drinking water presented a decreasing linear effect (P ≤ 0.05), and for feeding, efficiency increased with the addition of SBM (P ≤ 0.05). Fatty acids C14:0, C17:0, C17:1, C18:2n6c, C20:2, and C20:3n6 showed lower values ​​with the inclusion of SBM (P ≤ 0.05), while fatty acids C22:0 and C22:6n3 increased. The values ​​of n6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for SBM treatments. The values ​​of total polyunsaturated fatty acids showed a decreasing linear effect (P ≤ 0.05) with the inclusion of SBM. The use of up to 30% SBM in DM did not impair animal growth performance and feeding behavior did not cause damages to carcass parameters and still made the meat healthier, improving the n-6/n-3 ratio, therefore can be used to feed finishing lambs.

Chemical Characterization of Microcystis aeruginosa for Feed and Energy Uses

“…In our work, it was possible to characterize these chemical and biochemical properties in the cyanobacterial biomass and the LTPNA 01 strain. Therefore, given their nutritional composition and the absence of microcystins in samples, they may be recommended for use as an additive in animal feed (especially for small ruminant animals,), thus contributing to their nutritional supply (e.g., lipids, ash, proteins, and carbohydrates) [35,36]. In a recent study, the addition of increasing doses of marine microalgae (Schizochytrium) meal up to 6% of the total diet in Ile de France lambs was evaluated [37].…”

Fortification of diets with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids enhances feedlot performance, intramuscular fat content, fat melting point, and carcass characteristics of Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA lambs

“…Lamb consumers demand fresh, tasty, safe, and microbe-free meat with high eating quality and nutrient content, thus necessitating advanced nutrition and breeding strategies that integrate appropriate meat quality characteristics by sheep producers ( 4 ) to improve feedlot performance, dressing percentage, lean yield, and marbling score ( 5 , 6 ). To achieve accelerated lamb growth and early attainment of appropriate slaughter weights that meet market specifications, feedlotting remains a critical lamb finishing strategy for improving profitability ( 7 , 8 ). It also facilitates the production of more uniform lamb carcasses ( 9 ) from a low mortality system that ensures more efficient use of human and technical resources to attain improved meat yield and quality ( 10 ).…”

Soybean molasses increases subcutaneous fat deposition while reducing lipid oxidation in the meat of castrated lambs

“…The inclusion of SM in the diet did not influence animal feed intake and performance, which indicates the by-product is a viable feedstuff in ruminant nutrition that can be used as a macro-ingredient substitute for corn in feedlot diets without causing rejections and declines in animal productivity. Arruda et al (2021) and Rodrigues et al (2020) evaluated SM inclusions of up to 30% in the DM of the diet and observed no effects on lamb feed intake and performance. Previous reports indicate that SM-containing diets have a higher digestibility ( Pereira Junior et al, 2018 ; Arruda et al, 2019 ), an effect that may be attributed to the carbohydrate solubility that SM adds to the diet (35.1—CON vs. 230.8 g kg -1 SM20 of soluble carbohydrates).…”